Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy could be sidelined for up to five months due to a muscular injury in his right leg, potentially necessitating surgery, according to sources speaking to ESPN.
The 30-year-old left-back was substituted in the 14th minute of Sunday’s 2-0 LaLiga victory against Espanyol after experiencing discomfort during a sprint.
Mendy immediately halted his play, and after receiving medical attention, he left the field visibly distressed.
Medical evaluations conducted at Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility on Monday confirmed the specifics of Mendy’s injury.
“Following today’s tests conducted by Real Madrid Medical Services, Ferland Mendy has been diagnosed with an injury to the rectus femoris tendon in his right leg,” the club stated in a brief announcement. “His recovery will be closely monitored.”
This is not the first time Mendy has faced this issue; he dealt with a similar injury last year that required surgery, sidelining him for nearly six months.
Having made only nine appearances this season due to various injuries, his time on the field has been severely limited since joining the club in 2019.
With his 2025-26 season officially concluded, Mendy is also expected to miss the initial months of the next season.
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Mendy extended his contract with Madrid in the summer of 2024, despite the club not officially announcing the renewal.
Reports indicate that the contract was extended until 2027, suggesting that the coming season will mark his last at the club.
He joins teammates Éder Militão, Arda Güler, and Rodrygo on the sidelines for the remainder of the season, while Kylian Mbappé and Dani Carvajal are also currently unavailable.
As Madrid prepares to face league leaders Barcelona on Sunday, a victory is crucial to prevent Barça from clinching the championship.
“We’ll assess Mbappé’s condition this week,” coach Álvaro Arbeloa said on Sunday. “After his recent test, we believed it might take a bit longer, but we’ll see how everything progresses. I’m hopeful Carvajal can return before the season ends.”